.223 for deer?
- Thread starter Adam F85
- Start date
Lmao a arrow from a string is NOT a light bullet designed to disentigrate on small game, even large black bears are usually pass through shots with a bow and the broadheads cut a 1 1/8- 2'' hole cut through the vitals.
I am not saying a .223 will not kill a deer BUT there is much better choices out there. I hate seeing any animal wounded for no reason, and i would much rather shoot a deer with a bow then rely on a VARMIT RIFLE.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
OK, gotcha....and I agree with the point you are making as far as the plausibility of humane kills with the .223. However, from a real life standpoint of wanting to make a humane kill, and realizing that things can happen in a heartbeat in a real hunting situation....I'd still keep away from hunting with that smaller calibre as my personal preference. I'm comfortable using the 7mm-08 on pretty much anything inside 200 yrds, and some might even see that as being undergunned for moose/elk....so I am not of the Uber Magnum mentality by any means. Just feel like that .223 is pushing the boundary of under gunning for humane kills.
With my bow, I have passed up several shots on animals I really really wanted, because I didn't have that 100 % certainty that I was going to make that quick kill. I hate seeing animals with arrows hanging out of them, limping along looking for a place to die, or waiting for the 'yotes to find them.
Saw two last year and couldn't get close enough to finish them, (bow season, no rifle handy).
That's why I tend to want enough gun as well. JMO.
mike shickele
Regular
For the record...........any centerfire cartridge is legal to hunt big game in B.C. I don't know about other provinces. I own a 223, nad I have 53gr TSX,s set maside on the off chabnce that my 30-06 goes down, at least I can hunt deer while the 30-06 is getting repaired. It's a decent backup, but for my main................no.
Mike
Mike
TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Since we're all being so respectful here, I'll just point out that I never said the .223 would do a better job. Thinking about using one is a lot different, but since I don't even have one, it's all just conjecture.
(And he's not lost. He still shows up on the trail cam between 8:30 and 11 every night, and looks healthy, so I'd say I missed him WHICH would explain why I never found any blood or hair after looking all day. Two of my cousins sat out there tonight but he beat bushes all around the stand and wouldn't come in. I have three guys lined up to shoot him.)
Regarding "inexperienced" hunters using .223 - well, lots of old-timers on here and around (some of them guys I know) will tell of expert hunters using the .22 Hornet, .22 HP, or even .22 lr. Heck, ask the northern guys on here, and they'll tell you that the small calibers are still really popular for polar mammals. Everyone knows a .30-06 or .45-70 is better, but a .223 works too, in the right hands, unless everyone who has told me so is lying.
the same should be done with a .223, just because one has a rifle in his hand doesn't mean he should shoot. If the sure shot is not there, don't shoot. Its simply the way responsible hunting should be done. a .223 will take down every land mammal in North America in the hands of a skilled hunter, and for those who love the sport and the art of the perfect shot its a lot more challanging to do so with a .223 than a cannon. Just like hunting with arrows. 99% of folks shouldn't do it, but it shouldn't limit the 1% who can do it from doing so. Unfortunately most hunters are way overgunned and as a result take shots they shouldn't. Wisdom discernment and self control are all characterstics that need to be displayed especially when hunting, on the edge, be it with a bow or .223.
The original question was if the .223 was 'Sufficient' for deer not whether or not it is able. To me this would equate to the oil level in a car motor. Do you use the very least amount of oil just to keep the motor running? or do you run enough oil to ensure reliable performance in all conditions? use enough gun, not just the minimum. I've used .243, .270, and 7mm Rem mag. All of them worked but the one I shot with .243 made it a heck of alot farther than the others I have shot. Shot placement is crucial but I'll admit I don't always make perfect shots. I haven't had to track any that I shot with my 7mm though... I say use enough gun.
in quebec its 243 minimum anyway, but yes we are all saying it will do the job but if you have a 308 in the safe it will do the job better that for shure. if you only want one gun get a 30-06 its the do it all americain rifle from 100gr all the way up to 280gr
We are known to be overguners in north america cause the hunting rifles are in economy class. In Europe or Asian countries .223 is way too good due to the deer size. Availability of many many better calibres and fear of ( PI"o"TA ) for putting the pictures on the net and more or less ethicaly dispaching the deer in case you are little off, made us all move to bigger calibres. And possibility of coming across a bear , be on the safe side otherwise .223 is as good as all others for deer
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Its been done before many times.
I would use a good controlled expansion bullet like the Barnes X or TSX. As a matter of fact i have some 50 gr. X bullets that I will load up for my 22-250 . That rifle will be coming with me for Whitetail season...I havent' decided if I will use it yet.
I would use a good controlled expansion bullet like the Barnes X or TSX. As a matter of fact i have some 50 gr. X bullets that I will load up for my 22-250 . That rifle will be coming with me for Whitetail season...I havent' decided if I will use it yet.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
